Operational Deputy Manager Ofsted

Operational Lead / Clinical Practice Lead (Deputy Manager Level) Children's Residential Services - Complex Needs / Tier 4 Pathway Salary: Up to £100,000 per annum (DOE) Full-time | Leadership Role | Residential Care Setting We are currently recruiting for a highly experienced Operational Lead / Clinical Practice Lead to join a specialist children's residential service supporting young people with complex needs, mental health challenges, trauma, and neurodiverse presentations. This is a senior leadership position, functioning at Deputy Manager level operationally, with a strong focus on therapeutic practice, clinical leadership, and service quality improvement across a high-support residential environment. This is not a purely clinical role, we are looking for someone who can combine hands-on operational leadership with strong therapeutic understanding and practice leadership. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership (Deputy Manager Level) Act as senior operational lead on shift, including in the absence of the Registered Manager Support staffing, rota management, and workforce planning Ensure safe staffing levels and effective daily coordination of the home Oversee incident response and operational decision-making Ensure compliance with Children's Homes Regulations and Quality StandardsStaff Leadership & Development Lead, supervise, and support staff teams in high-pressure environments Deliver supervision, induction, and ongoing staff development Address practice concerns and promote consistent, high-quality care Model calm, structured, and therapeutic leadershipSafeguarding & Incident Management Lead on safeguarding concerns, incidents, and high-risk behaviours Manage situations including self-harm, aggression, and missing episodes Ensure accurate reporting, escalation, and documentation Support staff to deliver proportionate, child-centred responsesTherapeutic & Clinical Practice Leadership Embed trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches across the service Support formulation-led practice and behaviour understanding Lead reflective practice and case discussions with staff Strengthen staff understanding of behaviour, attachment, and traumaMulti-Agency Working Work closely with external professionals including CAMHS and social care Contribute to MDT meetings, placement reviews, and risk planning Support safe transitions and placement stabilityWhat We're Looking For We are open to two main backgrounds: Option 1: Children's Residential Experience Strong experience at Deputy Manager / Operational Lead level Proven background in children's residential care (EBD / complex needs)OR Option 2: Clinical Background RMN / RNLD / Mental Health Nurse Experience working with CAMHS, community mental health, or residential settings supporting young peopleEssential Requirements Strong experience supporting high-risk children and young people Confident in safeguarding, incident management, and escalation procedures Competent in medication administration, including: Controlled drugs PRN (anxiety/agitation medication) MAR charts Minimum Level 2 medication training Strong understanding of when to escalate to CAMHS / GP / crisis services Ability to lead and develop staff in complex environmentsWhat's on Offer Salary up to £100,000 per annum (DOE) Senior leadership position within a specialist therapeutic service Opportunity to shape clinical and operational practice Strong MDT and therapeutic support structure Career progression toward senior registration-level rolesAbout the Role This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior leadership position where operational responsibility and clinical practice leadership come together. You will play a key role in shaping the quality of care, staff development, and therapeutic approach across the service. #BCSW1